Although they are doing all they can, they are still not part of the Middle East ;-)
Russia and Saudi both have roughly the same break even price of oil = 110, http://uk.businessinsider.com/break-even-oil-prices-for-all-the-major-producers-in-the-world-2015-7
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin warns that Russia needs to implement structural reforms to save the economy,
http://www.economywatch.com/news/Former-Official-Calls-for-Russian-Structural-Reform1211.html
With present oil price and present budget Rusia will run out of money within a year. It will be interesting to see what will happen.
We’ve been here before. Last time Russia’s economy was about to collapse they reasoned that either they had to start a war or they had to fold.
They invaded Afghanistan, with the ultimate goal of invading Saudi Arabia.
Putin already made his decision. He started by invading Georgia, then Ukraine, now Syria (they were invited . . .).
I expect them to reach the southern border of Syria and turn right.
Putin is definitely selling the China to do it.
The SA reasons it can survive #30/BBL oil longer than anybody can.